The HAI-APS program has not yet launched; please return to this page for future updates.

"Your Partner in Flying to a Higher Standard”

The HAI Accreditation Program of Safety (HAI-APS) is a voluntary program that helps helicopter operators reduce accident rates and improve their safety cultures. HAI, the trade association for the international helicopter community, developed HAI-APS to help participating businesses “fly to a higher standard” of safety and professionalism.

To become accredited, simply call or email HAI (703-683-4646 or hai-aps@rotor.org) and we will help you get the process under way.

HAI-APS Standards

HAI-APS is based on two sets of performance standards: IS-BAO, a set of international standards for business aviation, and HMSS, which are the Helicopter Mission-Specific Standards developed by HAI to address safety in specific missions flown by helicopter operators.

First Steps in Becoming an HAI-APS Accredited Operator

1.Purchase the IS-BAO and HMSS standards at rotor.org/aps-order ($1,200 USD for HAI members; $1,650 USD for nonmembers). You will receive a confirmation of your purchase, and the standards will be mailed to you within five business days.

The HMSS standards are not available yet, but will be available when the HAI-APS program launches.

2. Review the IS-BAO and HMSS standards. An HAI staff member will contact you within two weeks to make sure you have received the standards and to answer any questions you might have.

3. Schedule telephone or in-person mentoring. HAI staff provide this complimentary service to HAI Regular Members – Operators to ensure that you and your operation are prepared for successful IS-BAO and HMSS audits.

Both standards easily scale to operations large and small and are performance based, allowing you maximum flexibility in determining how you reach the performance goals. HAI staff will mentor you through the process, suggesting next steps and helping to demystify the process.

HAI-APS Accreditation Process

Once you order the standards, we will send you the IS-BAO and HMSS documents for your review. Typically, an operator first spends some time reviewing the documents, comparing the standards to their own operation and self-correcting any issues. Operators are often surprised by how much they already do that meets the performance goals of the HAI-APS safety standards: they simply need to document or make small changes to reach full compliance.

You may choose to conduct the IS-BAO and HAI audits separately. However, HAI-APS auditors are certified in both types of audits and can conduct them simultaneously. To learn more about the accreditation process, see “The Path to HAI Accreditation.”

HAI-APS: A Premier Member Benefit

“Safety First” isn’t just a poster and reducing your accident rate to zero — or preserving an already-good safety record — isn’t just a feel-good thought. Accidents have real consequences, for both people and businesses. As HAI President Matt Zuccaro has commented, “If you think safety is expensive, try having an accident.”